Construction Science
doi: 10.2478/cons-2014-0004
2014/15 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variation of Characteristics of Vibropressed Concrete
Pavement Blocks
Gintautas Skripkiūnas1, Giedrius Girskas2, Jurgita Malaiškienė3, Evaldas Šemelis4,
1–4
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Abstract: Concrete pavement blocks were formed and the
following properties were investigated after 7 days of curing:
density, tensile splitting strength, freezing-thawing resistance,
using de-icing salts in one-sided way, and abrasion resistance. The
scattering of the values of density and tensile splitting strength of
the concrete pavement blocks in the pallet during the process of
manufacture was examined. It was determined that the values of
density and splitting tensile strength were similar in the diagonals
of the pallet. Bigger changes were seen on the edges of the tray.
The variation coefficients of the examined properties ranged from
0.5 % to 15.6 %. The biggest scattering of research results was noted
in strength.
Keywords: concrete pavement blocks, density, tensile strength,
statistical analysis
I. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays concrete block pavements have become an
attractive engineering and economical alternative for flexible
and stiff pavements. The properties such as strength, durability
and aesthetically pleasing surfaces have made paving blocks
attractive for many commercial, municipal, industrial
surroundings and places such as parking areas, pedestrian
walks, traffic intersections, and roads [1]. This type of paving
is evaluated for being a hard surface which is aesthetically
pleasing, comfortable to walk on, trafficable, extremely durable
and easy to maintain. Paving blocks are manufactured in factory
conditions, ensuring consistency and accuracy. After being
situated with an edge restraint over a granular bedding course,
individual blocks interlock themselves and acts compositely,
which distributes large loads evenly [2].
The fabricated concrete blocks can be in various sizes,
strength and durability, depending upon their usage and
construction needs. For achieving better durability, high utility,
consistent quality, and good appearance of blocks, the
production is mainly based on the combination of water-cement
(w/c) ratio and parameters of compaction method. Using
different combinations, changing parameters leads us to final
product which has higher density, better strength as well as
lower permeability and lesser pore structure [3].
The following three block manufacturing techniques that
ensure that the articles manufactured are of high quality and
meet the standards are used:
 Manual compaction;
 Manual or mechanical tamping;
 High-frequency vibropression.
The technique of high-frequency vibropression, which is
fully automated, fast, and energy efficient, is certainly the most
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popular and commonly used at the factories. Using this
technology, products of greater strength, less porous and more
resistant to the environmental impact are produced [4].
The requirements for concrete pavement blocks are
categorized into classes that are used for labelling. According
to the class of the required resistance to atmospheric effects, it
is recommended to ensure the longevity in the country on whose
market the product will be used.
Scientists all over the world conduct tests and experiments
with concrete blocks, trying to make them more durable and
resistant to atmospheric effects. Most of them are directed to
waste materials utilization. There are a number of investigations
done on concrete pavement adding marble waste to its
composition. It is a popular topic of investigations done in the
countries where marble is one of the main levers of their
economy. It is used to replace up to 40 % of the coarse aggregate
in the mixture [5–6]. There are a number of investigations done
on concrete pavement resistance to atmospheric causes.
Basically, scaling from freeze-thaw cycles is the biggest
problem. The ice melting salt aggravates this process [7–9].
In scientific studies, the regression analysis is commonly
used, which shows how the physical mechanical properties
depend on the amount of w/c and other raw materials [10–11];
the impact of waste on the properties of concrete pavement
blocks is also examined [12–15]. However, the scattering of the
values of physical-mechanical and other properties of concrete
pavement blocks is rarely examined when manufacturing the
products at the factory.
The aim of the study was to determine the changes in density,
tensile splitting strength of concrete pavement blocks,
evaluating the results of the whole batch and the results of the
concrete paving blocks on a separate pallet in accordance with
their arrangement. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate statistical
indicators and variation coefficients of other properties.
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The concrete pavement blocks with the dimensions of
(200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) were selected from the blocks
manufactured in a factory using vibropression. Firstly, one
pallet was taken to evaluate the scattering of the values of
density and tensile splitting strength of the concrete pavement
blocks, and then more specimens were selected to determine the
average characteristics of the batch. Concrete pavement blocks
of two layers were manufactured, their compositions are shown
in Table I. The strength was determined in accordance with
EN 1338 method, just after 7 days.
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TABLE I
THE COMPOSITION OF THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT BLOCKS

Raw material The base layer The cladding layer

Cement CEM I 42.5R, kg 371 500
Crashed gravel 2/8, kg 408 –
Crashed granite 2/8, kg 403 –
Granite screenings 0/4, kg – 560
Sand 0/2, kg – 1,004
Sand 0/4, kg 1,158 – Fig. 1. The specimen prepared for freezing-thawing test is shown from the side
Water, l 120 128 (1 – thermoisoliation 2 – rubber sheet, 3 – specimen 4 – sealant tape,
5 – temperature gauge, 6 – polythene sheet, 7 – pilot surface, 8 – salt solution).
Plasticizer (Plastolith), l 1.13 1.5
V/C 0.32 0.26
Before weighing the specimens are wiped with moistened and
Measurement of the dimensions of the concrete pavement wrung cloth to expel excess water. The tensile splitting strength
blocks was carried out in accordance with EN 1338 + AC was determined in accordance with EN 1338:2003 + AC: 2006
requirements. Measurement of the dimensions of the concrete Annex F.
pavement blocks was carried out using electronic callipers The freezing-thawing resistance of the concrete pavement
DIN862 and mechanical callipers with the measuring range of blocks and abrasion tests were carried out in accordance with BS
0 mm – 200 mm. Millimetre accuracy in the measurement of EN 1338 + AC requirements. The scheme of the freeze-thawing
thickness of the block was ensured. It was measured in the resistance of the concrete pavement blocks is shown in Fig. 1.
positions of 4 opposite sides at least 20 mm from the edge of The main raw material is Portland cement without additives
the block. The average thickness was calculated using four (CEM I) 42.5 R complying with EN 197-1 requirements. Table II
dimensions and rounded off to the millimetre accuracy. The presents the basic characteristics of cement.
blocks were weighed using the laboratory scales KERN KB, The fine and coarse aggregates meet EN12620:2003
with the maximum weight of 6,500 g and 0.1 g accuracy. requirements. Weak rock (sandstone, limestone, etc.) content
The density was determined in accordance with DIN 12390-7. does not exceed 2 %. Aggregates were tested in accordance with
Natural moisture blocks were taken to determine the density. EN 1097-2, EN 1097-3, EN 1367-2, EN 933-1.
Water absorption tests were conducted in accordance with TABLE II
EN 1338:2003 + AC: 2006 Annex E. The specimens are immersed PORTLAND CEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
in the potable water at a temperature of (20 ± 5) °C and are left
Designation Bulk density, Specific gravity, Specific surface,
in the water until the constant M1 mass is reached. Minimum kg/m3 kg/m3 cm2/g
soaking time should be 3 days, and the constant mass is reached CEM I 42.5 R 1,200 3,200 3,700
when the results of two weightings every 24 h differ by less than
0.1 %. The granulometric compositions and the bulk density of
2/8 granite rubble, 2/8 pebble rubble, 0/4 sand, 0/2 sand and
0/4 granite screenings are shown in Table III.
TABLE III
THE GRANULOMETRIC COMPOSITIONS AND THE BULK DENSITY OF 2/8 CRASHED GRANITE, 2/8 CRASHED GRAVEL, 0/4 SAND,
0/2 SAND AND 0/4 GRANITE SCREENINGS
Raw material Passing by sieve opening size, % Bulk density
kg/m3

0.063 0.125 0.25 0.5 1 2 4 5.6 8 11.2

Crashed granite (fr. 2/8) 0.04 0.07 0.10 0.14 0.35 3.90 28.65 55.47 97.93 100 1,410
Crashed gravel 0.01 0.10 0.18 0.26 0.46 0.70 25.10 53.45 99.70 100 1,559
(fr. 2/8)
Sand (fr. 0/4) 0.17 0.93 10.01 41.17 69.91 90.39 99.45 99.98 100 100 1,620
Sand (fr. 0/2) 0.61 2.64 12.38 43.30 76.64 96.64 99.57 99.82 99.93 100 1,550
Granite screenings 0.92 3.18 5.98 18.31 37.56 64.13 79.14 89.53 100 100 1,500
(fr. 0/4)

Superplasticizer “Plastolith” complying with EN 934-2 was The coefficient of variation δ evaluates experimental values,
used as a technological additive. Water complied with EN 1008 i.e. the deviation of a certain random value from the average
requirements. value of a sample [19].
The grouping of data and the preparation for the research S
were performed using Microsoft Excel software. Statistical
δ  100. (1)
y
analysis was done according to the literature data [16–18].

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where The coefficient of variation of the density is 1.2 %, the tensile
y – the average of the values set in the experiments, splitting strength is 13.2 % (of the pallet). The coefficient of
S  – the average squared deviation is calculated using the variation shows that there are no significant changes in the
following formula: density of the products on the pallet, whereas the scattering of
the strength values is higher.
 
n 2
 yi  y (2) Evaluating the results according to the arrangement of the
S  i 1 . products on the pallet, it was discovered that the results of the
n 1
density and the splitting strength in diagonals were similar.
where Bigger changes are seen on the edges of the pallet. The lower
yi – the value of a specimen, density and splitting strength dominated on the top edge and on
n – the number of specimens. the lowest edge; the higher values of these parameters were
obtained on the left edge and on the right edge (Fig. 2–3).
III. RESULTS It is supposed that this is caused by different impact of the
The obtained results of the density and the splitting strength pressing force.
in accordance with the arrangement on the pallet are presented
in Figure 2 and Figure 3.

Fig. 3. The distribution of the tensile splitting strength on the pallet (yellow –
high density, green – medium density, red – low density).
Fig. 2. The distribution of the density of the concrete blocks on the pallet
(yellow – high density, green – medium density, red – low density). When the results of the whole batch were evaluated
(measuring more than 100 blocks), it was determined that the
The concrete blocks were divided into the following three average density of the batch was 2,311 kg/m3 and the splitting
groups according to their density: high density, medium density strength after 7 days of curing was 3.17 MPa (analyzed paving
and low density. Firstly, the average was calculated, then the blocks were done in winter conditions). After 7 days of curing,
average standard deviation and the intervals were taken when it concrete blocks acquire about 70 % of their strength, consequently,
was considered that the blocks were of high, medium and low after 28 days, their strength will reach approximately 4.6 MPa
density. A similar distribution according to splitting strength as required by the standard EN (after 28 days, the strength has
was also done. The distribution results are shown in Table IV. to be at least 3.6 MPa).
TABLE IV
THE RESULTS OF THE DENSITY AND THE TENSILE SPLITTING STRENGTH
Property Average The average Range
standard deviation Low Medium High
Density, kg/m3 2,281 27 2,236 – 2,261 2,262 – 2,301 2,302 – 2,331
Tensile splitting strength, MPa 3.16 0.41 2.27 – 2.96 2.97 – 3.36 3.37 – 4.06

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Data distribution is presented in the histograms Fig. 4–5. It The blocks are of a high quality, because even after 56 cycles,
was determined that the variance of the values was normal, their the mass loss is only 0.06 kg/m2, and in accordance with EN
reliability was 95 %. The coefficient of variation of the whole standard, it is required that after 28 freezing-thawing cycles the
batch to the density was 1.4 %, and to the tensile splitting mass loss should not exceed 1 kg/m2. Then, the concrete blocks
strength – 15.6 %. The values of the coefficients of variation, were assigned to Class 3, and the marking is D.
when calculating all products in the batch, are bigger because The coefficient of variation of the frost resistance of the blocks
of the greater scattering of the values. Particularly big (after 56 freezing-thawing cycles) is 3.7 %. It was determined
coefficient of variation of the tensile splitting strength was using the ultrasound every 7 days during the tests of the frost
obtained. As a result, it is necessary to take into account the resistance, in order to see and evaluate the changes in the
selection of the formation parameters when manufacturing structure of the products when freezing and thawing them. The
concrete blocks. results of the ultrasound tests are presented in Fig. 7.
35
2500
Number of specimens

30

Ultrasonic pulse velocity, m/s

25
2480
20
2460
15
2440
10
2420
5
2400
0
2380
2360
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56
Freezing-thawing cycles
Density, kg/m3 Fig. 7. The changes in the ultrasonic pulse velocity during the freezing-thawing
cycles.
Fig. 4. The distribution of the values of density.
Fig. 7 shows that increasing the time of freezing, the
18 ultrasonic pulse velocity decreases. After 56 freezing and
16 thawing cycles the ultrasonic pulse velocity decreases about
Number of specimens

14 3.8 %. This is due to the increase of the porous space and the
12 occurrence of defects in the structure. The coefficient of
10 variation of the ultrasonic pulse velocity, calculated for the
8 whole batch, is 0.5 % (after 56 freezing-thawing cycles), hence
6 the scattering of the values is at a very low level.
4 The average abrasion of the batch of the concrete blocks was
2 20.7 mm, the average standard deviation was 0.56 mm, the
0 coefficient of variation was 2.7 %. The results of the abrasion
of the blocks varied from 20 mm to 21.6 mm, therefore they
were assigned to Class 3 (≤ 23 mm, although it is close to
Strength, MPa Class 4 – ≤ 20 mm).
Fig. 5. The distribution of the values of the splitting strength. Specifications of products shaping affect density and
strength of pavement blocks. Very big influence has the
The research results of the freezing-thawing of the concrete consistence of the mixture, but it more leads scattering of
blocks are presented in Fig. 6. This figure shows how the mass characteristics in separate pallets. It can be argued that in the
of paving blocks changes over freezing-thawing time. ends of the same pallet products are less compacted and strength
0.07 of pavement blocks is lower. It can be concluded that by
kg/m2

0.06 pressing the pallet deforms declining ends.

0.05
Loss of mass,

0.04 IV. CONCLUSIONS

0.03 There is almost no significant impact of the arrangement of
0.02 the pavement blocks on the pallet according to diagonals on the
0.01 values of the density and the tensile splitting strength.
0 Differences of these characteristics were observed on the sides
0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56
of the pallet, which were due to the uneven distribution of the
Freezing-thawing cycles
pressing force.
Fig. 6. The results of the frost resistance of the blocks. The highest coefficient of variation of the values of the
tensile splitting strength was obtained and within the batch it

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2014/15 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
reached 15.6 %. The coefficient of variation of the research
results of other examined characteristics of the concrete
pavement blocks such as density, freezing-thawing resistance,
when using de-icing salt in one-sided way, and abrasion
resistance, ranged from 0.5 % to 2.7 %.
The mixture of pavement blocks by formation is pouring into
the centre of the pallet. Less mixture gets to the ends and the
ends are less filled with concrete mixture, it resulting lower
density and strength of products.
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Gintautas Skripkiūnas, Civil Engineer, Dr. sc. ing. (1994), prof. VGTU
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Building Materials (2010).
Publications: ~ 50 scientific and methodological works.
Address: Sauletekio Av. 11, Vilnius LT-10223, Lithuania
E-mail: gintautas.skripkiunas@vgtu.lt
Giedrius Girskas, PhD student, VGTU Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Department of Building Materials (2010). Publications: 5 scientific works.
Address: Sauletekio Av. 11, Vilnius LT-10223, Lithuania
E-mail: giedriusgirskas@yahoo.com
Jurgita Malaiškienė, Civil Engineer, Dr. sc. ing. (2008), research worker,
assoc. prof. VGTU Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Building
Materials (2008). Publications: ~ 20 scientific and methodological works.
Address: Sauletekio Av. 11, Vilnius LT-10223, Lithuania
E-mail: jurgita.malaiskiene@vgtu.lt
Evaldas Šemelis, PhD student, VGTU Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Department of Building Materials (2010). Publications: 1 scientific work.
Address: Sauletekio Av. 11, Vilnius LT-10223, Lithuania
E-mail: evaldas@sivysta.lt